In news that will bring relief to thousands of stranded NRIs, the government of Oman announced on Monday that travellers from 21 countries, including India, could enter the Gulf kingdom.
Oman had suspended flight services from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and several other countries at the height of the second wave of COVID-19.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Oman on Monday informed that travellers from India and the other countries would be allowed entry from 12pm on September 1.
The Times of Oman reported, "All passengers arriving to the Sultanate are required to present a COVID-19 vaccine certificate containing a QR code stating that they have received two doses of a vaccine approved in Oman, or in cases where a single dose is approved by the health authorities of the Sultanate, have received one dose of such a vaccine. The last dose is required to have been received not less than 14 days ahead of estimated arrival time." The vaccines approved in Oman are AstraZeneca/Covishield, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinovac and Sputnik V.
The Times of Oman noted that "all passengers arriving to the Sultanate presenting a negative COVID-19 PCR test result are exempted from quarantine. The COVID-19 PCR test shall indicate the medical test result, which can be validated and certified with a QR code and the test shall be conducted within 96 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival in the Sultanate for the international flights of more than eight hours’ duration, including transit, and 72 hours before for shorter flights".
However, those entering Oman without a negative PCR test result will need to take a test on arrival and will be required to enter mandatory quarantine fitted with a electronic tracking bracelet till a negative test result is received.
If such travellers test positive, they will be required to undergo mandatory health isolation for 10 days.
Travellers aged below 18 years are exempted from vaccine and test requirements.
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Travellers are required to register on Oman's Tarassud+ COVID-19 app. "Before boarding the aircraft, all passengers arriving in the Sultanate, including diplomats, are required to complete pre-registration via Tarassud+ platform and to upload the vaccine certificate as well as a COVID-19 PCR certificate, both containing QR codes. If the passenger prefers to conduct the COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival, the passengers shall pay the prescribed fees by registering via Tarassud+ platform before boarding the aircraft," The Times of Oman reported.